Google’s Gemini rolls out Canvas in AI mode to all US users

Source: TechCrunch

Google has expanded access to Canvas in AI Mode to all users in the United States (English), after first launching the feature as part of its Google Labs experiments last year.

What Canvas in AI Mode Is

Canvas in AI Mode is designed to help users organize and plan projects or conduct deeper research. The feature now supports drafting documents and creating custom tools directly within Google Search, as announced in a Google blog post.

Google previously suggested using Canvas for tasks like building a study guide by uploading class notes and other sources. It can also:

• Turn a research report into a web page, quiz, or audio overview (overlapping with Google’s Notebook LM research tool).

Image Credits: Google

Generating Code and Creative Content

Users can describe an idea to Canvas, which then generates the code needed to transform that idea into a shareable app or game. The feature can also help refine creative writing drafts and provide feedback on projects.

Canvas is already available in Gemini, where Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers have access to the latest model, Gemini 3, and a larger 1 million‑token context window for more complex projects.

Availability and Impact

Making Canvas available to all U.S. users through Google’s AI search feature (AI Mode) exposes the tool to a broader audience, including those who haven’t yet explored Gemini’s capabilities. This broad reach is a strategic advantage for Google in the AI race, leveraging the massive user base of Google Search.

Image Credits: Google

How to Use Canvas

1. Enter AI Mode in Google Search.
2. Click the Canvas option (the “+” tool menu).
3. Describe what you want to create.
4. A Canvas side panel opens, allowing you to pull information from the web and Google’s Knowledge Graph.
5. If building a prototype or app, you can:
   • Test functionality.
   • Toggle to view the underlying code.
   • Refine the app by chatting with Gemini.

Competition

Canvas competes with similar tools from rivals such as OpenAI and Anthropic. Notably, ChatGPT’s Canvas feature is triggered automatically based on the query, while Google and Anthropic’s Claude require more direct interaction. All three platforms enable users to get help with writing or turn ideas into projects.